Strawberry plant named &#39;MARISOL&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar is provided. Attractive semi-early ripening bright red primarily conical fruit having a firm flesh is formed in good yields. Additionally, some fruit having a forked tip commonly is produced in a lesser yield. White inflorescence is formed on a semi-early basis that commonly is disposed slightly above the foliage. A calyx commonly is displayed having a diameter when open that is generally smaller than the diameter of the open corolla. A dense upright generally globose growth habit is displayed.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

Fragaria×ananassa Duchesne/Strawberry Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Marisol

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention was the product of a controlled breeding program that was carried out at Nova Siri (MT) Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N.-16° 39′ 40″ E. and 10 meters above sea level. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘Siris’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States and EU No. 34843) and the male parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the ‘Milsei’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,864). The parentage of the new cultivar can be summarized as follows:

‘Siris’×‘Milsei’.

The seeds resulting from the pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically different from each other. Selective study and testing resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new cultivar.

The new cultivar initially was designated AD.08.069.

It was found that the new short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention displays the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   (a) exhibits a dense, upright generally globose growth habit,     -   (b) displays on a semi-early basis white inflorescence at a         level slightly above the foliage,     -   (c) commonly displays a calyx diameter that generally is smaller         than the diameter of the corolla when open, and     -   (d) forms in abundance semi-early ripening large bright red         primarily conical fruit having a firm flesh that is longer than         broad in configuration as well as some fruit having forking at         the tip.

The new cultivar of the present invention can be readily distinguished from previously known strawberry cultivars including the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) as indicated in detail hereafter.

The new cultivar possesses characteristics that commonly are sought by commercial strawberry growers. Substantially uniform firm bright red semi-early ripening fruit is provided in good yields. Accordingly, the new cultivar is considered to be a promising new plant introduction.

The new cultivar has been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons at Ochla, Poland located at 51° 848 N.-15° 447 E. and by in vitro tissue culture. No rooting problems were encountered. The combination of characteristics exhibited by the new plant has been found to be stable and is reliably transmitted to succeeding generations following such asexual reproduction. Accordingly, the new cultivar reproduces true-to-type manner by such asexual reproduction.

The new plant has been named ‘Marisol’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new cultivar as well as typical specimens of the ‘Sabosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,558) for comparative purposes. The plants had been asexually reproduced from stolons and were planted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid-October 2012 at Nova Siri (MT), Italy.

FIG. 1 shows rows of flowering and fruiting young plants of the new cultivar on Feb. 25, 2013 where the flowers commonly are disposed slightly above the foliage.

FIG. 2 shows fruiting plants of the new cultivar on Mar. 25, 2013 wherein abundant fruit production is apparent.

FIG. 3 shows more mature fruiting plants of the new cultivar on May 10, 2013 where the plant density is further illustrated.

FIG. 4 shows a crate of the fruit of the new cultivar. The overall fruit shape and coloration is apparent. Approximately 90 percent of the fruit is conical in configuration and approximately 10 percent of the fruit is more cylindrical in configuration with some forking at the tip.

FIG. 5 shows a close view of typical attractive fruit of the new cultivar (right) and of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (left). The ‘Marisol’ fruit is somewhat larger. The length:width ratio is larger, the fruit coloration is slightly darker, and more even over the entire surface for the ‘Marisol’ cultivar. Additionally, the disposition of the sepals of the calyx is generally more upwards for the ‘Marisol’ cultivar and more outwards for the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. Measurement in centimeters and in inches is included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 6 shows close internal views of typical fruit of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar (right) and the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar (left). An internal fruit cavity is largely absent in the ‘Marisol’ cultivar fruit and is present in the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar fruit. Measurement in centimeters and in inches is included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 7 shows the typical upper (i.e., adaxial) surface of a three-leaflet leaf of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar. The terminal leaflet unlike that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar tends to be longer than broad. Dimensions in centimeters are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 8 shows the typical under (i.e., abaxial) surface of a three-leaflet leaf of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar. Dimensions in centimeters are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 9 shows a typical pedicel of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar wherein pubescence on the surface is generally disposed upwardly.

FIG. 10 illustrates at the right a typical stipule of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar and at the left a typical stipule of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. The stipule of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar tends to be larger than that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar and to bear some anthocyanin coloration unlike that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.

FIG. 11 illustrates reverse (top) and obverse (bottom) views of typical inflorescence of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar. The open calyx diameter tends generally to be smaller than that of the open corolla.

FIG. 12 illustrates for comparative purposes reverse (top) and obverse (top) views of typical inflorescence of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. The open calyx diameter tends to be somewhat larger than that of the open corolla.

FIG. 13 illustrates typical tendency of the ‘Marisol’ cultivar to form stolons in a medium to high frequency with medium anthocyanin coloration being present on the stolons.

FIG. 14 illustrates for comparative purposes typical stolon formation exhibited by the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar with the substantial absence of anthocyanin coloration.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The described plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels at Nova Siri (MT) Italy. The chart used in the identification of color is the R.H.S. Colour Chart (1995 Edition or equivalent) of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. Reference to common color terms is to be accorded ordinary dictionary significance.

-   Botanical class: Fragaria×ananassa, Duchesne, cv. ‘Marisol’. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—short-day.         -   Configuration.—upright, relatively dense, and generally             globose.         -   Vigor.—medium strong.         -   Height.—commonly approximately 28 to 30 cm on average.         -   Width.—commonly approximately 30 on average.         -   Leaflets.—three in number, medium in size, commonly up to             approximately 9 cm in length on average and up to             approximately 8 cm in width on average; the terminal leaflet             commonly is moderately longer in length than width and             commonly is approximately 8 cm in length on average and             approximately 7.3 cm in width on average, possess a concave             cross section, a serrate to crenate margin, and a rounded             base; blistering commonly is medium; the glossiness on the             upper surface is medium; the upper surface coloration             commonly is near Green Group 140A to Green Group 141B and             the under surface coloration commonly is near Green Group             139C to Green Group 141C.         -   Stolons.—medium to high in quantity, commonly approximately             55 cm in length on average, medium density of pubescence,             near Green Group 142A to 142B in coloration, commonly with             medium intensity anthocyanin coloration of near Red-Purple             Group 65B to 65C as illustrated in FIG. 13. Stolons commonly             are produced somewhat more numerously than the ‘Sabrosa’             cultivar with anthocyanin coloration commonly being absent             on the stolons of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.         -   Petioles.—commonly approximately 19 to 24 cm in length on             average, near Green Group 142A to 142B in coloration, and             commonly bear horizontally disposed fine pubescence.         -   Stipules.—larger than those of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar as             illustrated in FIG. 10, near Yellow-Green Group 145B to             Yellow-Green Group 149C in coloration, and commonly bear             some anthocyanin coloration of near Red-Purple Group 65B to             65C unlike the stipules of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar where             anthocyanin coloration was not observed. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flowering time.—semi-early.         -   Flower number.—medium, commonly 5 or 6.         -   Pedicel hairs.—pubescence generally disposed upwards.         -   Size.—large, with primary flowers commonly being             approximately 2.5 to 3.2 cm in diameter on average, and             secondary flowers commonly being approximately 2.5 cm in             diameter on average.         -   Petals.—overlapping, nearly round in configuration, commonly             number approximately 5 to 8 on average, normally 6 in             number, commonly moderately greater in width than length,             commonly approximately 8.5 mm in length on average and             approximately 9 mm in width average, and near White Group             155B to 155C in coloration.         -   Anthers.—commonly number approximately 22 to 25 on average             and disposed above the stamens. Yellow pollen is formed in             abundance as illustrated in FIG. 11. The plant is             self-fertile.         -   Sepals.—generally lanceolate in configuration, commonly are             generally disposed upwards as illustrated in FIG. 5,             commonly number approximately 10 to 13 on average which can             be compared to approximately 10 to 12 for the ‘Sabrosa’             cultivar, commonly approximately 5 to 7 mm in length on             average and approximately 2 to 3 mm in width on average at             the broadest point, unlike the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar the             diameter of the open calyx commonly generally is less than             that of the corolla (as illustrated in FIG. 11), and             commonly the coloration is near Green Group 143A on the             upper surface and near Green Group 142A to 142B on the under             surface. -   Fruit:     -   -   Bearing.—non-remontant.         -   Timing.—semi-early fruiting, commonly with approximately 30             to 35 days from first blooming to first fruit ripening. This             can be compared to approximately 35 to 40 days between first             blooming and first fruit ripening for the ‘Sabrosa’             cultivar.         -   Shape.—primarily conical in configuration with a minor             quantity of fruits bearing a more cylindrical configuration             with forking at the tip as illustrated in FIG. 4. There             commonly is only a slight shape difference between terminal             and other fruit.         -   Size.—large, with the primary fruit commonly being             approximately 5 to 5.5 cm in length and approximately 4 to             5.2 cm width at the broadest point. The length:width ratio             commonly is greater than that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.         -   Surface.—commonly with slight unevenness and strong             glossiness.         -   External color.—substantially uniform and commonly bright             medium red, near Red Group 42B to 42C, and slightly darker             than that of the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.         -   Internal color.—medium red, and commonly near Red Group 40A             to 40B, with a lighter red core of near Red Group 40B.         -   Firmness.—good, with medium flesh firmness, and commonly             with somewhat more firmness than the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar.         -   Cavity.—very small or absent fruit cavity (as illustrated in             FIG. 6).         -   Achenes.—located below the fruit surface commonly with only             a narrow band of 4 to 6 mm where achenes are absent, and             commonly near Orange-Red Group 33B to 33C in coloration.         -   Calyx.—the sepals of the calyx commonly tend to be generally             disposed upwards as illustrated in FIG. 5 with weak             adherence to the fruit.         -   Peduncle.—approximately 10 to 17 cm in length on average for             primary fruit and approximately 11 to 14 cm in length on             average for secondary fruit, and commonly near Yellow-Green             Group 149A to 149B in coloration.         -   Pedicel.—commonly near Green Group 142A with pubescence             disposed upwards.

Supplemental Comparative Data

Hereafter, comparative fruit data is provided for the new ‘Marisol’ cultivar and the ‘Sabrosa’ cultivar. On Oct. 15, 2012 plots of fifty (50) plants of each cultivar were planted in four (4) replications at Nova Siri (MT), Italy. The plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels. The fruit was evaluated and compared during 2013 on the dates indicated. Average data is presented.

Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) Cultivar February 30^(th) March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) ‘Marisol’ none 51 421 751 ‘Sabrosa’ none 73 270 589

Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) First Second First Second First Second Quality Quality Quality Quality Quality Quality Cultivar (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) (grams) ‘Marisol’ 36.47 29.03 36.01 22.84 22.23 11.04 ‘Sabrosa’ 25.20 16.00 29.50 17.50 21.33 11.07

Comparison of Accumulated Fruit Production May 30^(th) First Second Percent Quality Quality Total Second Cultivar (grams) (grams) (grams) Quality ‘Marisol’ 751 162 913 17.74% ‘Sabrosa’ 589  92 681 13.50%

Overall Comparison of Fruit Weight Cultivar g/fruit ‘Marisol’ 25.50 ‘Sabrosa’ 22.50

Fruit Analysis ‘Marisol’ ‘Sabrosa’ Firmness (average)* 0.66 0.63 Dry Matter (%)** 7.70 7.50 pH (to 20°) 3.80 3.50 Acidity as Anhydride Citric (%) 0.75 0.75 Soluble Solids (% Brix) 7.95 8.66 Maturity Index 10.60 11.54 *Resistance to penetration measured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) pentrometer (20 Kg × 0.01). **Weight of residue from the titration of the fruit after drying at 103° C. until a constant weight is achieved.

Plants of the new ‘Marisol’ cultivar have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct short-day strawberry plant that exhibits the following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits a dense, upright, generally globose growth habit, (b) displays on a semi-early basis white inflorescence at a level slightly above the foliage, (c) commonly displays a calyx diameter that generally is smaller than the diameter of the corolla when open, and (d) forms in abundance semi-early ripening bright red primarily conical fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration as well as some fruit having forking at the tip; substantially as illustrated and described. 